rely

verb

re·​ly ri-ˈlī How to pronounce rely (audio)
relied; relying

intransitive verb

1
: to be dependent
the system on which we rely for water
2
: to have confidence based on experience
someone you can rely on
relier noun

Examples of rely in a Sentence

rigorously tested the rope before starting out, for the rock climbers would be relying on it with their very lives
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The traditional Lebanese houses with green shutters and red-tiled roofs were now splattered with mustard-yellow signage for OMT, one of the services the diaspora relies on to send money home from abroad. Youmna Melhem Chamieh, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025 Consumers often rely on credit to bridge financial gaps, as 61% of consumers use credit out of necessity at least occasionally, and 20% would forgo essential purchases without access to preferred credit options. Bill Hardekopf, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025 Consider Alternative Media For years, brands have relied on traditional mainstream media outlets to reach broad audiences, but that’s no longer the most effective strategy. Steven Le Vine, Rolling Stone, 2 Jan. 2025 The industry and exhibitors rely on the streamer who is committed to theatrical for mass appealing and mid-mass appealing counterprogramming. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for rely 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English relien to rally, from Anglo-French relier to retie, gather, rally, from Latin religare to tie out of the way, from re- + ligare to tie — more at ligature

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rely was in 1574

Dictionary Entries Near rely

Cite this Entry

“Rely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rely. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

rely

verb
re·​ly ri-ˈlī How to pronounce rely (audio)
relied; relying
1
: to have confidence based on experience
someone you can rely on
2
: to be dependent
the system on which we rely for water

Legal Definition

rely

intransitive verb
re·​ly
relied; relying
: to depend with confidence : place faith

More from Merriam-Webster on rely

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!